New Music To Know: Kitten Puts Its Own Charli XCX-Approved Spin on the ’80s

There’s a moment on the title track of Kitten’sLike a Stranger EP when frontwoman and co-songwriter Chloe Chaidez doubles down on her already breathy vocal performance and near-whispers a talking breakdown reminiscent of Madonna’s “Vogue.” It’s a stunning, commanding vocal take that suggests a maturity beyond Chaidez’s years, ten of them spent in music.

“There’s something so romantic, chic and posh about it that I love,” Chaidez, 18, said of the song’s sotto voce, citing Pet Shop Boys as its inspiration. “Every time I hear someone talking in a song, it stops me in my tracks. You wanna listen to a song and go, ‘Who is that girl? What’s her story?’ I love having that effect on people.”

The Los Angeles synth-pop band has made a name for itself around its hometown with its glammy, charismatic live show, reinforced with exposure on KROQ’s (a Radio.com station) Sunday night radio show, Locals Only, which shines a light on local and unsigned acts from L.A. and Orange County.

The band and its new label Elektra Records seem intent on letting the rest of the world know too, with a recent appearance on Last Call with Carson Daly and an upcoming U.S. tour with Charli XCX, a good friend of Chaidez’s.

“She messaged me on MySpace, like, four years ago,” Chaidez said, who lost touch with the English pop star/songwriter over time. “When I saw the ‘Stay Away’ video, I was like, ‘Charli!’”

The two got back in touch, playing a show together in Chaidez’s native Los Angeles, and have been besties since. Certainly they’re kindred spirits in their inclination toward youthful, free-spirited stage performance. It makes sense for Chaidez, as she grew up in a musical family. Her father– Mike Chaidez, drummer of veteran L.A. punk band Thee Undertakers– raised her on “punk and classic rock,” Chloe said.